This pretty much nailed how I am feeling about the state of my once beloved country in general, and especially, this election year of 2024.
Somebody please beam me up.
And so it goes.
Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #3,432
yeah I know you did not ask!
Apparently a lot of my fellow citizens have taken the old saw about Washington and politics being a circus to heart. At least they seem to sending a lot clowns to Washington and political offices in general.
A Definition of Politics
I heard a really great definition of politics this morning on NPR, “Politics is about controlling the flow of money.”
Politics is, of course, about power. Frequently the flow of money is what it comes down to. Those in power receive more resources or are taxed less, and those who are not in power receive fewer resources or more of the burden.
Paul Krugman on Climate Change Deniers
A famous Carl Sagan quote definitely applies to Paul Krugman’s editorial in today’s New York Times.
“In science it often happens that scientists say, ‘You know that’s a really good argument; my position is mistaken,’ and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn’t happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.”
Mr. Krugman’s editorial, Points of No Return, describes how if you are not a climate change denier it will get you excommunicated from the Republican Party.
From the editorial:
“Think of it this way: Once upon a time it was possible to take climate change seriously while remaining a Republican in good standing. Today, listening to climate scientists gets you excommunicated — Continue reading “Paul Krugman on Climate Change Deniers”
Only 6% of Scientists are Republicans
This article is drawing the conclusion that because most scientist are Democrats 
(or at least not Republicans) it draws into question the science behind some big issues today.
Climate change is the example given. Whether you believe that climate change is happening splits down party lines. Which makes me wonder about how much our politicians are really examining the issues, but that is another topic. The article wonders if science is pushing science or perhaps politics (and funding) is pushing science.
I have another question. Scientists on the whole are a very well educated group. They are trained to look at most things in a critical and factual manner. If you do not know the answer they are trained to search for it, or say we really do not know at this time.
Given the above, I find it very interesting that only 6% are Republicans. But that is just me!
Article at Slate.com
Most scientists in this country are Democrats. That’s a problem.
Show Down at the Shariah Corral
Oklahoma is generally thought of as a backwater by the rest of the country and I suspect big parts of the industrialized world. Oklahoma State Question 755 passed with 71% of Okies voting for it. It bans state judges from considering Shariah or International law when deciding cases. I’m not sure what problem they were trying to solve…even preemptively. It is currently in suspension awaiting legal action.
In this Bible Belt state you have got to wonder where acceptance and tolerance have gone. My reading of the Bible leads me to think that they should be the backbone of Christianity.
Shariah at the Kumback Café Frank Rich Editorial at The New York Times
From the article:
‘To understand U.S. politics today, try “It’s the fear element, stupid.”’
This seems to be part of a bigger movement to breed fear and paint our President as “un-American”. I’m not sure what an “American” is except one of a group of immigrants living in a common land, hopefully with some shared goals.
Apparently tolerance for differences is not one of those goals.
The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors
I don’t normally read books on war or military actions. I originally started to read this book because my mother’s brother is Paul Henry Carr. He died in this battle.
I remember hearing stories about him almost the whole time I was growing up. My grandmother would every once in a great while bring out his medals and show them to us grandkids. I think it made her proud and sad all at the same time. I remember a comic book about the battle that I believe was published by the Navy that she kept around the house. His sisters talked about him for many years like he had taken a trip to the coast and would be back soon. Continue reading “The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors”
To my email buddies/correspondents:
Anyone who knows me even slightly knows that I like to argue and talk politics. They also know that I am somewhere to the left on the political spectrum.
I am probably not as near open minded about listening to other opinions as I fancy myself. Nevertheless that is my goal.
I’ve been known from time to time pass on emails, editorials, jokes, Continue reading “To my email buddies/correspondents:”